Downtown employer permit pilot extended after positive one‑year trial, parking director to continue program

Santa Fe parking officials reported the one‑year Downtown Employer Permit pilot program has shown steady use and strong business support and said the Parking Division intends to continue the program under its existing ordinance authority.

Steve Kaspin, parking division director, told the governing body the program — launched Jan. 9, 2024 under Resolution 2020-263 — provided up to 150 permits at a reduced monthly rate ($25 during the pilot) to downtown employers who verified that employee beneficiaries earn at or below the program threshold. Permits are issued to businesses, may be shared among staff at the owner’s discretion, and were sold on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

Kaspin said 111 of the 150 permits were used over the pilot year and that garages registered about 1,000 permit entry scans per month, with the Convention Center garage carrying the largest allocation. He summarized a follow‑up survey of participating employers that reported improved recruiting and retention, described the program as an effective hiring incentive, and urged the governing body to let the Parking Division continue the pilot.

"This program is so wonderful and has been a godsend," one business told staff in a written survey included in the packet. Another survey respondent said, "This program makes it more affordable for our business to allow our employees the benefit of paid parking." Kaspin said no applications were rejected and that the required income verification was provided for all permits issued.

Councilors asked about program controls. Kaspin explained the permits are issued to businesses, not individual employees, and the resolution currently allows business owners to allocate permits among staff. The program requires an employer affidavit and income documentation (redacted W‑2s were used in the pilot) at application; Kaspin said the Parking Division plans to require annual reapplication to confirm eligibility going forward.

Several councilors highlighted outreach and potential expansion. Sponsor Councilor Amanda Chavez said the pilot grew from direct requests by downtown employers and employees and asked staff to explore broader outreach to reach businesses that did not learn of the pilot. Councilor Michael Garcia asked whether the 150‑permit cap would change; Kaspin said the program could expand above 150 if additional garage capacity is available and that about 30 permits remained unused during the pilot period.

Kaspin noted his authority to continue the program comes from the city’s Uniform Traffic Ordinance (section 12‑9‑1) and said he planned to keep the program in place while pursuing outreach and annual reapplication procedures. Councilors praised the operational rollout and encouraged more outreach and annual verification to reduce the risk of misuse.

The city did not report specific enforcement actions tied to misuse during the pilot; staff said the division will consider requiring vehicle registration and other controls if misuse is observed. Businesses surveyed said they planned to renew permits and some said they would add permits if the program continued.